Full Circle – Month 26

This was the last month of my 27-month term in Papua New Guinea. It took about two weeks to clean and close the house in which I was living. Unfortunately, I had a respiratory infection for 5 days so I was not able to do as much in the clinic as I would have liked in my final days. I did complete the organization of the clinic’s downstairs storage room which was a major accomplishment! You could barely walk into the room in the beginning and now the floors are clean and the supplies have been properly organized, stored, and labeled. I also made more progress on the policy manual. I plan to continue to work on it during this summer.

Nearing the End – Month 25

45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”…50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit…59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left…5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen…(Taken from Matthew 27 and 28)

Why Go Tribal? – Month 24

This month I was able to attend two conferences in PNG.  The first was held in the Sepik.  The second was held here at our headquarters where I live.  During our conference, the speaker told us of a 14 year-old boy’s response to the question “Why do people go to tribal areas to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?”  His response: “Because there might be potential worshippers there!”  The speaker was challenging us to think of the lost not as “sinners” but as “potential worshippers” – people who Jesus so loved that He died for them. 

 

What Is In a Name? – Month 23

What is your name? This is such a simple question in our culture but it is quite a different story in PNG. I have watched parents name their baby as they stand before me to register the child as a patient. I have been told by another missionary that the people do not want to “waste a name” on a child that might not live.

Significance of Men and Rats – Month 23

Just how significant are any of us in the grand scheme of life? Isn’t it amazing that the God who created not only this galaxy but the entire universe knows our names and sent His Son to die for us

The missionaries at Lapilo held home fellowship again this month. I initially thought home groups were held once a year, then I thought they were twice a year, and now after two years I finally realize they are four times a year! My group met at the Friesen’s home where we watched one of the Louie Giglio videos that I saw while in Lae. It still amazes me just how tiny our planet is in the big picture.

Christ, our Savior, is Born! - Month 22

Once again December was a flurry of activities for those missionaries living in Lapilo.  Much of the bustle was for the benefit of the students and younger children but, of course, the adults greatly enjoyed the action.  It was wonderful to see how relationships were deepened and to take time to honor Jesus’ birthday!